The ultra-small cheap car club.

blue_haddock

I would 2nd the AX 1.5 diesel - lighter than the 106 or saxo so slightly quicker and also more MPG.

I had a rover 115 diesel (same engine) when my 205 was off the road - that could easily get 65mpg so the AX should get 70ish i'd imagine

terryw

I am now onto my fifth Kia Pride. They are the best small car available, and you have a lot of choice within your budget. I bought my last one a year ago with 30000 miles on the clock for £500 W reg, but it looks and drives and smells like a new car.

Ok, they have no street cred at all but they are cheap to run (insurance petrol etc), tend to have been owned by older peeps, nippy on motorways, eay to turn and above all, very reliable. Front wheal bearings tend to be the only expense but I think this is true of all small cars, but easy to change . I buy spare parts from EBAY or a breakers yard.

For my money, look no further.

terryw

tomstickland

Conor wrote: »

MK3 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6. Should get 42MPG and it's a £200 banger car so the £400 you save buying it would compensate for the lower MPG.

Too large though. The car has to be very light as a matter of principle, though I agree that Cavaliers make excellent choices for cheap and reliable motoring.

Another unwritten rule - the car isn't allowed be new or nearly new. It has to be a zero-spec, old car.
This is important, because the fun in driving it is due to the light weight nature. Weight is the enemy of performance and handling.

MrSmartprice

A friend had an 03 Reg Smart Diesel. It was 3 cylinder 800cc, and did around 90mpg in town or over 100mpg on a run. Road tax is free. He has just traded it in for a new one. For some reason these cars are not available as standard in the UK, only on special import. I have driven the older one and thought the performance was fine.

redux

You might find a Citroen AX or Peugeot 106 just a bit too light or too small, trim falling off, sitting a bit twisted, not enough knee room, etc

Take a different approach and base the project on learning about using a central heating cylinder as the basis of plant to make your own biodiesel from used chipshop oil. The retailed kits based on plastic containers are overpriced and not as safe.

Then you don't need the ultimate low weight to save on fuel cost.

Citroen BX or Peugeot 405 or 309 turbodiesel, or maybe a 205 but this has a bit less power due to no intercooler (unless you convert it), or non-turbo versions if you really must have the last 5 mpg. Or there are Rovers with this engine

tomstickland

The low weight is critical to me. It's like a religious fervour!
The reason is that handling is much improved (think kit cars or Lotus Elise).
I have been reading up on DIY biodiesel though.

BillScarab

Well why not just get a proper mini? They weigh between 600-700 Kg depending on spec. They're small, good on fuel, they were designed during a fuel crisis, and the parts are reasonable. Also when you come to sell it you shouldn't lose anything. The only problem might be your budget.

However if you could fine a pre 1973 one that is road legal for you budget (unlikely I know) it would be even better as it wouldn't need taxing.

It goes without sayign it will be fun to drive as well unless you have to go on a long journey.

Otherwise I would think AX, Saxo/106 or 205 would be good. A Rover 115 diesel as mentioned above wouldn't be bad either.

If you can find one a Suzuki SC100 Whizzkid might be an interesting and unusual choice, I've always quite fancied one.

mummytofour

i just got a fiat seceiteno (sp) motoring does not get any cheaper.

tomstickland

BillScarab wrote: »

Well why not just get a proper mini?

I did look a few years ago and prices weren't low enough at that time.

Kez100

Toyota Aygo. I'm averaging 55 mpg petrol on use up to now and from my last tank got a massive 62 mpg. £35 road tax and group one insurance.